Truck spoiler system

Abstract

A tail gate of a truck having a body including a transport bed and spaced side walls is selectively alternatively positionable between its normal location and an alternate location. In the alternate location the tail gate is supported and elevated relative to the transport bed and functions as a spoiler affecting air flow during movement of the truck.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination: a truck having a body including a transport bed and spaced side walls extending upwardly from said transport bed and having upper side wall ends;   support means connected to said truck body, said support means comprising a pair of support elements connected to said truck body in opposed, spaced relation to one another, each said support element having a support component spaced from an upper side wall end and elevated relative thereto;   a tail gate having opposed tail gate ends selectively alternatively positionable either at a first location wherein said tail gate is connected to said truck body closely adjacent to said transport bed and extends between said side walls with the tail gate ends connected to said side walls to form an enclosure with said side walls or at a second location wherein said tail gate extends between the support elements and is supported by said support components a predetermined distance above said transport bed and elevated relative to said upper side wall ends and spaced from said side wall ends, said tail gate operating as a spoiler affecting air flow during movement of said truck when at said second location; and   connector means for selectively alternatively removably connecting said tail gate to said truck body at said first location or to said support elements at said second location, said connector means rigidly connecting each said tailgate end to a support component at at least two spaced locations on said support component when said tail gate is at said second location.   
     
     
       2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said connector means includes a swivel-type fitting and a latch element at each tail gate end. 
     
     
       3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said truck body defines receptacles at said side walls, and wherein each support element is releasably positioned in one of said receptacles. 
     
     
       4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said tail gate has an outer substantially planar surface and said transport bed is disposed along a plane, and wherein said support components of said support elements cooperate with said tail gate when said tail gate is at said second location to maintain said tail gate outer substantially planar surface at a predetermined inclination relative to the plane along which said transport bed is disposed. 
     
     
       5. The combination according to claim 4 additionally comprising adjustment means for selectively varying said predetermined inclination. 
     
     
       6. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said receptacles comprise stake holes formed in said side walls and said support elements include posts positionable in said receptacles. 
     
     
       7. The combination according to claim 1 additionally comprising safety cable means selectively interconnecting said tail gate to either said support means or said truck body. 
     
     
       8. The combination according to claim 1 additionally comprising mechanical fastener means for connecting said support means to said truck body.